RAILWAYS

* 2424 Rajdhani leaving New Delhi on Sa will go upto Dibrugarh and on otherdays will terminate at Guwahati. (Arrival 2030) . * 2423 Rajdhani will originate ex. Dibrugarh on W and ex. Guwahati on M. F.

The Shatabdi Express

The Shatabdi Express, as distinct from the Rajdhani Express, is for shorter routes : an intercity kind of service that links major cities and offers facilities for quick and comfortable journeys. The trains are fully air-conditioned, and the Shatabdi hospitality offers passengers meals and snacks.The schedules and sectors are given below:

* Date of introduction to be notified later. * 2029/2030 Shatabdi will run on all days except Su. * 2031/2032 Shatabdi will run on Su. only.

INDRAIL PASSES

Indrail pass fares (Effective April 1, 1999)

Kuwait : House of Kuwait, Al - Hilaliah Building, Alboor Stret, P.O. Box 594, Safat 13006, State of Kuwait. Fax: (965) 2455441

Baharain : Dadabhai Travels, A Division of Dadabhai Trading and Contracting , P.O. Box 387, Manama, Bahrain. Fax:21091

Doha : Trans Orient Travels & Tourism, P.O. Box 363, Airport Road, Doha. Fax: (0974) 321099

Bangkok : S. S. Travel Service, 10/12-13 S. S. Building, Convent Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand.

Fax (00662) 2367186

Yangon : Bandoola International Ltd., No. 299, 80, Sunpal Street, Yangon, Myanmar. Fax : 95-1-281277

Singapore : Indian Airlines Office Fax : 22211113

Kathmandu : Indian Airlines Office Fax : 419649

Colombo : Indian Airlines OfficeFax : 452307

For further information

International Tourist Bureau, New Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi 110 001.

Phone 91-11-3734164, 3346804 Fax : 91-11-3343050

Joint Director Tourism, Ministry of Railways, Railway Board, New Delhi 110 001

Telefax : 91-11-3386943 Website : http://www.Indianrailway.com/

The prime attraction of this museum is the beautiful steam loco ‘’Fairy Queen’’ which was built in 1855 and later off-loaded in 1909.

The 234 tonner "Garratt Locomotive" the Patiala State Monorail Train built in 1907, the B class tiny steam engine which worked on the "Darjeeling Himalayan Railway", the 120 year old 4 wheelar saloon, and the Morris Fire Engine of 1914 are some of the star attractions at the musem.

The saloon coaches of the erstwhile viceroys and the maharajas stand alongside the wooden planks of the third class carriages. The Museum also has an indoor display gallery, and a cafeteria, and a souvenir shop.

The entertainment and information facilities range from multimedia kiosks detailing the history of Indian Railways, to a joy ride around the exhibits, accompanied by a running commentary on the collection. Indeed, people from all age-groups- from little ones to the old and grey, will find their own things of interest and their own ways of relaxing.

SPECIAL TOURIST TRAINS

The Royal Orient

A joint venture between Gujarat Tourism and Indian Railways, the luxurious Royal Orient promises a journey into the days of unimaginable splendour and opulence of the erstwhile maharajas. And, while you travel on the thirteen gold-embossed saloon carriages , you discover a glorious

past of ancient India in her temples and shrines, enjoy the resorts and beaches, and forests and sanctuaries. Imagine early royal passengers on their bridal journeys, state visits or on grand hunting parties.

The journey begins at Delhi cantonement and takes you through Rajasthan and Gujarat covering some of the most interesting and colourful places in the two states - beautiful Udaipur, exquisite Palitana with its 863 Jain temples dating back to the 11th century, and Veraval - Somnath on the pilgrim trail of Lord Shiva, the beach resort at Ahmedpur Mandvi, the Sasan Gir sanctuary, the capital of Gujarat - Ahmedabad, and then Jaipur - the City built by the astronomer prince, Jai Singh.

The days during the journey are free for sight seeing and explorations while the travelling between destinations is undertaken by night.

For information & bookings :- Sr. Manager, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd., 2nd Floor, A-6, State Emporium Building, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi - 110001. Tel.: 91-11-3364724. Fax : 91-113734015

Palace on wheels

Rated as one of the most luxurious rail journeys in the world, the Palace on Wheels provides a unique and memorable experience. Jointly operated by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways, this special heritage tourist train derives its name from the royal background of its coaches which once belonged to the rulers of the former princely states of India.

The journey of 6 days and 7 nights on this luxurious modern train includes visits to the deserts and lakes and some of the famous palaces and forts of Rajasthan. The itinerary includes visits to Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur Fort, Ranthambhor, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ghana Bird National Park, Bharatpur, Fatehpur Sikri and finally the Taj Mahal in Agra.

The Palace on Wheels has fourteen beautiful saloon cars, the decor of which highlight the cultural ethos of each of the erstwhile princely states - in its furniture, handicrafts, paintings and furnishings.

As the travelling between different places is done by night, the days are left free for discovering colourful Rajasthan.

For information & bookings :- Sr. Manager, Palace on Wheels, Tourist Reception Centre, Bikaner House, New Delhi - 110011. Tel.: 91-11-3381884, 3386069 Fax : 91-11-3382823

Fairy Queen

Fairy Queen, the oldest working broadgauge (5'6") steam loco motive in the world, kept at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi is running once again.This beautiful steam loco which was built in the year 1855 by the British firm of Kitson, Thompson & Hewitson for the East Indian Railway travels from Delhi to Alwar at a leisurely speed, and promises to give its guests a unique, once -in -a- lifetime experience.

It was way back in 1855 that the Fairy Queen rolled out on its maiden journey for the East Indian Railway, hauling troop trains to Raniganj during the 1857 First War of Independence in India.

Now in its grand revival journey, the loco carries one carriage with 50 passengers and one pantry car, as it chugs out of Delhi on its' once a week journey.

The weekend trips take guests to Alwar and from there to the Sariska, tiger reserve with an overnight stay at Sariska. The night at Sariska is full of entertainment with ethnic dance and music.

The tariff per person for a round trip is Rs 10,000 and the tickets are also payable in Indian Rupees for Indian residents. The fare includes all meals (excluding liquor), transport ex Alwar to Sariska and back on A/C buses, and visit to the tiger sanctuary.

The Fairy Queen leaves Delhi Cantt Rly station at 10.00 hrs and reaches Alwar at 16.00 hrs from where the tourists are taken to Sariska. The guests are then taken around the tiger sanctuary and they board the train at Alwar at 13.00 hrs on the next day( Sunday) arriving at Delhi Cantt at 19.20 hrs.

Director National Rail Museum, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi-110021, Tel: 011-6881816, 6880939. Fax: 011-6880807.
E-mail: nrm.nrm.cmc.net.in
Manager, International Tourist Bureau, New Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi-110001. Phone: 91-11-3734164, 3346804. Fax: 91-11-3343050.

Hill Railways

OOTY (Udhagamandalam)

Planning a holiday in Ooty? Take a toy train up. The beautiful journey by the Nilgiri mountain toy train promises to give you a really memorable experience. Travelling at a maximum speed of 33 km per hour, the train passes through 16 tunnels, forest-clad hills and lush green tea-plantations, and rumbles across tall girder bridges. The fresh clean air and the breathtaking views are not to be forgotten easily.

Also sometimes called the Queen of Indian Hill Stations , this little hill resort in Tamil Nadu nestles about 2,600 m above sea level and has a pleasant climate all the year round.

The journey up begins at Mettupalayam and covers the distance of 46 kms in 4 hours. Mettupalayam is on the railway mainline to Chennai. Coimbatore, 90 kms away, is a major railhead.

Kalka - Shimla

The Shivalik Deluxe Express, chugging its way up the beautiful hill sides, connects the
Howrah-Kalka Mail for passengers going to Shimla. A luxury train, the Shivalik Express has only one stop - Barog, in its 4 hrs 45 minutes journey.

There are modern fittings and amenities like wall to wall carpet, cushioned chairs, cabin for couples, music system, tables for meals, tube lights, microphone connection with the guard, improved toilet facilities, and much more. The fare of Rs 340 includes breakfast in UP direction and dinner in DOWN direction.

Bookings are available on the Computerised Reservation Systems.

Special Tourist Coaches

The Railways also offers a luxury tourist coach for the upmarket tourist called the Shivalik Palace. Facilities here include exclusive kitchen ware, on-board catering, decorative lights, musical cordless bell, music system, indoor games, magazines & books, modern bathroom, folding beds, and dining table with cushioned chairs. Plus, you get two complimentary retiring rooms at Shimla for one day.

The fare is Rs 8,225 both ways, Rs 4,850 for UP , and Rs 3,375 for DOWN direction and is excellent for a party of 6 persons.

And, for the honeymooners the exclusive Shivalik Queen Coach offers total privacy. Plus, you get wall to wall carpeting, big windows with curtains, alarm bell to the driver and a microphone to the guard. And, if you also need to keep in touch with the world outside, you get free newspapers at both Kalka and Shimla. Reasonably priced at Rs 750 per couple, the fare also includes meals.

These special Tourist Coaches are attached to mail express trains from kalka to shimla.

For bookings of these coaches, please contact the booking offices at Ambala, Chandigarh, Kalka, Shimla or Divisional Railway Manager, Rail Vihar, Ambala. Tel: 91-171-610125, 610800. Fax: 91-171-610103, 610596.

DARJEELING

One of the most unforgetable of India's toy trains is the one from New Jalpaiguri in the plains to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal. The 80 km ( seven and a half hour) long journey on a 2ft wide track up the mountains, offers stunning and breathtaking views of the Himalayas - of rolling tea plantations and wild orchids. While the Batasia Loop & the Tiger Hill are two interesting spots on the way the Observatory Hill offers a magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga ranges.

Darjeeling, situated at an altitude of 2,127m is the 2nd place railway in the world to be declared a World Heritage Site by unesco. While special impetus has been given to the Darjeeling-Siliguri sector, the station building and the rolling stock have been restored, as far as possible, to the original facade.

New Jalpaiguri, the starting point of the hill train to Darjeeling, is well connected by rail to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and other places.

MATHERAN

This tiny hill resort was, till 1850, practically unknown. Nestling about 800 m above sea level, Matheran (meaning jungle head) is the nearest hill resort to Mumbai - just about 2 hours away on a Pune-bound train. Away from the din of the city, Matheran soothes the tired nerves and brings a song to the lips.

As the little narrow guage train (which was introduced in 1907) wheezes up the Western Ghats into the clear mountain air, you get a breathtaking view of the hills and plains below. The train runs only between sunrise and sunset, and is discontinued from mid - June to end September, during the monsoons.

Neral, which is the starting point of the journey up, is easily accessible by Mumbai's local trains.

For further information on tourism matters please contact: Joint Director Tourism, Ministry of Railways, Railway Board, New Delhi - 110 001. Telefax: 91-11-3386943. Website: http://www.Indianrailway.com/